WATCH: Lion in South African Supermarket Viral Video Revealed as AI-Generated

Phalaborwa, South Africa – A video that recently captured widespread attention on social media, depicting a lion casually entering a grocery store in Phalaborwa, Limpopo, and helping itself to meat, has been confirmed as an AI-generated creation.

The footage, which amassed thousands of views and sparked lively online discussions, initially fooled many with its striking realism but has since been debunked as a digitally fabricated clip.

The viral video, first shared on TikTok by a content creator on June 14, 2025, showed a lion navigating the aisles of a local supermarket, appearing to select packaged meat with an almost human-like familiarity. The clip, designed to mimic CCTV footage, showcased advanced artificial intelligence techniques, with the lion’s movements and the store environment rendered in a highly convincing manner. Social media users flooded comment sections with humorous remarks, marveling at the lion’s apparent “shopping skills” while others debated the authenticity of the scene.

Fact-checking efforts quickly clarified that no such incident occurred in Phalaborwa or any other South African location. No credible news outlets reported a lion entering a grocery store, an event that would have garnered significant local and international coverage. Analysis of the video revealed subtle inconsistencies, such as unnatural lighting and motion artifacts, common in AI-generated content. Experts noted that the clip was likely created using sophisticated CGI tools to composite a digital lion into a realistic store setting.

The video’s creator, whose identity remains undisclosed, has not publicly commented on the production process, but the clip aligns with a growing trend of AI-generated media gaining traction online. This incident has reignited conversations about digital literacy, with experts urging the public to verify sources before sharing viral content.

The realistic nature of the footage underscores the increasing sophistication of AI tools and their potential to mislead viewers.

While the video provided a moment of amusement for many, it serves as a reminder of the importance of critical thinking in the digital age.

No animals or shoppers were involved in any real-life supermarket escapades, and the lion’s “Sunday buffet” remains a fictional, albeit entertaining, creation.